When teaching a dog not to bark, you should talk very softly to him. Instantly the dog will often become quiet trying to understand and listen to you. The dog will also learn that soft talk is quiet time.
Teach the dog to bark on command. Once you teach him to bark on command it is easy to teach him to be quiet on command. You can use “Quiet” or “Guard” verbal commands that work good for barking when you need protection. I use hand signals. For hand signals, pick something that is not common and only used for barking. I use a very subtle opening and closing of the fingers. After the dog learns the hand signals you can have a lot of fun. For example, you can teach the dog to count by showing him when to start and stop. You can teach him to give a single bark when he wants outside. The possibilities are unlimited.
The next step is to teach him to bark soft using verbal commands or hand signals. To do this talk softly to the dog, use a different command and then give a slightly different bark command. Reward him when he makes a very soft sound and give the quiet command if necessary. Use the same quiet command for a normal bark and a quiet bark.
If the dog is barking while outside make him come in on the first bark. Do not let the dog bark several times before you bring him in and do not give him a second chance. On the first bark, tell him “Quiet” and bring him in. The dog will learn that fun ends the moment they bark. If a neighbor is complaining, try talking to the neighbor, getting his schedule and make a big deal out of showing how much you are trying to accommodate him.
If the dog is barking indoors, send him to a timeout spot like the bathroom as soon as he barks. If he still barks while in timeout, try a different time out spot, or put him on a leash in a sit position or down stay command next to you. Again, be consistent with the reprimand and do this on the first bark so they will learn that fun ends the moment they bark.
Visit a dog park often? Often the dog will be exhausted and very quiet after having been to one.
You can also try putting the dog on a flexi line so that you can control and anticipate the behavior. When you see that the dog is going to bark, tell the “Quiet” in a firm tone, and reel him closer to you.
The main thing is that it has to be done on the first bark, not the second or third. Much like potty training, you have to correct him at the start of the bad behavior.
Types of barking:
I want something
Wait until they are quiet for about 5 seconds, give them the item then give them a lot of attention. Do not give it to him while barking, reward only after a short quiet period. I often teach my dogs three barks are OK and teach them to ask for specific items. Another approach is to teach the dog a different way to ask for something like scratch the door, hit a bell, move the food dish with his paw, and go to the corner of the room to get fed.
Board
When a dog barks because he is board, it’s an excellent opportunity for a training session.
Aggressive
This type on bark can be one of the most difficult to resolve. Time outs usually seem to work best. It is important to be firm in this case and let them know aggressiveness is not acceptable. Leave the dog’s leash on him anytime you suspect aggressive barking may occur. If the aggressive barking starts, you can quickly rush the dog off to the bathroom or put him in a command position. I usually use a “Down” command instead of a “Sit” command because the “Down” command is more submissive and shows that you are the boss.
Alert or warning
Teach your dog the proper alert warning bark, three barks followed by praising “Good dog, thank you, now quiet.” To teach the dog the alert bark, while the dog is barking go see what he is barking at tell him “Good dog, thank you, now quiet.” Take them back in the other room and reward with a treat. Sometimes telling the dog, “Good dog let’s sit and watch.” Sit with them and talk softly to him reassuring him it is “OK.”
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